Becker tosses no-hitter in North sweep

Sunday

Mar 24, 2013 at 12:20 AMMar 24, 2013 at 12:29 AM

GRANTS PASS — Maryssa Becker opened the Southern Oregon Hybrid softball season for defending state champion North Medford with a no-hit performance and the Black Tornado swept Grants Pass with a pair of 10-0 victories Saturday.

GRANTS PASS — Maryssa Becker opened the Southern Oregon Hybrid softball season for defending state champion North Medford with a no-hit performance and the Black Tornado swept Grants Pass with a pair of 10-0 victories Saturday.

Becker tossed a six-inning no-hitter in Game 1, then pitched two shutout innings in the nightcap before giving way to Alexis Barkwell, who blanked the Cavers during the remainder of the five-inning game.

Becker (3-0), the Class 6A pitcher of the year in 2012, struck out 12 and didn't walk a batter in the opener.

Becker was denied a perfect game when she slipped on Haley Rose's ground ball in the fourth inning that led to the Cavers (1-2, 1-2 SOH) only baserunner.

The Black Tornado (5-0, 2-0 SOH) broke open a close game with an eight-run sixth inning. The nine-hit frame was highlighted with a two-run double by Keisha Williams, a run-scoring double from Michelle Draper and RBI singles by Barkwell, Grace Jovanovic and Maddie Gates.

Barkwell, a junior transfer from San Diego, had two hits and three RBIs, including a solo home run in the second inning.

The Black Tornado also received two hits each from Joci Ellis, Katie Williamson, and Gates.

"We put the ball in play a lot," said Mayben. "The kids made a pretty good adjustment and made better contact than in the first three innings."

In Game 2, Ellis opened the contest with an inside-the-park home run for one of her three hits.

Barkwell also excelled at the plate with a two-RBI single in the third and two-run homer in the fourth.

Becker added a single and solo home run and Williamson and Katie Ramsay provided two hits apiece.

"It was good to play solid softball," said Mayben. "I was proud we played pretty much error-free defense and demonstrated we have good hitters throughout the lineup."

SOUTH MEDFORD 4-2, CRATER 3-6 — At Central Point, Becca Flora's two RBIs helped South Medford capture the opener, then Allie Winningham provided the key hits in the second game as Crater gained a SOH split.

Flora's run-scoring single in the first inning of Game 1 gave the Panthers (2-2, 1-2 SOH) the initial lead. Flora and Tia Garrett rapped back-to-back doubles during South Medford's three-run third inning.

Pinkerton had nine strikeouts and one walk in the opener, which was stopped after five innings by the 10-run mercy rule. In Game 2, Pinkerton struck out 10 with no walks and gave up three hits in her first shutout of the season.

The Cougars (3-0) scored the only run they would need in the second inning of Game 2 when Halee Hedgpeth singled, advanced to third on back-to-back stolen bases then scored on a passed ball. In the opener, Marissa Raines was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and three runs and Shawna Creech 2-for-3 with three RBIs and three runs to lead Prospect.